Each year, the Glass Packaging Institute (GPI) awards businesses, organizations and its members’ customers who are at the forefront of using innovative glass packaging, leading the charge for glass recycling, and promoting the use of 100% pure and recyclable glass bottles. These recognitions help the GPI advance innovators within the packaging industry and promote model glass recycling programs.

Clear Choice Awards

For the past 22 years, the GPI has awarded its Clear Choice Award in recognition of consumer product manufacturers who expand the frontiers of glass packaging design. It is the only award program that recognizes the contribution glass packaging makes to the environment-and shelf impact.

Awards were presented during September’s Recycle Glass Month in 10 categories to top glass packages. Entries were judged on innovation, package design (including container, label and closure), and consumer appeal by judges from the world of design and printing, packaging trade press, and packaging schools.

In addition to industry-wide recognition and brand-building media, award recipients were given the opportunity to display their winning products at PACK EXPO 2011 in September at the Las Vegas Convention Center. One standout company, Organic TruBee, was recognized for the decision to package its raw gourmet honey in a glass container manufactured by Owens-Illinois, Inc. (O-I). Organic TruBee chose glass packaging because it is 100% recyclable, and glass best showcases the purity of the honey.

Traders Point Creamery, a leader in the trend to package more dairy products in glass, was honored in the Conversion Recognition category. The company switched from plastic to a recyclable glass jar, supplied by glass container manufacturer Verallia, for its organic cottage cheese. This furthers Traders Point Creamery’s goal to offer award-winning products that benefit the health of its customers and the planet.

2011 Friends of Glass

During Recycle Glass Month 2011, the GPI also recognized seven Friends of Glass by honoring those companies, organizations, and persons making significant and innovative efforts to choose glass packaging and further glass container recycling for bottle-to-bottle use.

Eden Foods, Inc. and Two Guys in Vermont were selected as Best Friends of Glass. Eden Foods packages its line of organic crushed tomatoes and sauces in amber glass jars to protect flavor and nutrients from light damage. The driving force at Eden Foods for glass packaging vs. cans was to avoid bisphenol-A (BPA), a potential issue for acidic foods in plastic-lined cans. Two Guys in Vermont, a brand of all-natural soups, also specifically chose sustainable glass jars for its product package to avoid BPA.

Spearheading Glass Recycling

Blue Skies Recycling and Glass Act took home Friend of Glass awards in the glass recycling category. Blue Skies Recycling (St. Louis, Mo.) collects organics, cardboard and glass containers for recycling from 35 bars/restaurants, Busch Stadium, and the Jones Dome convention center. Nearly 10 tons per month of mixed glass is used to make new bottles and other glass products. The company’s goal is to make it easier for the foodservice industry to recycle glass.

Glass Act of Marion County, Ohio, is another bar/restaurant recycling program. It was initiated by the county with public and private grants in January 2011, and collects over eight tons per month of mixed glass bottles and jars for recycling into new glass containers. Grant funds were used for indoor and outdoor collection bins at 35 participating bars and restaurants-everything from an Applebee’s to local sports bars.

To learn more about all the award winners, visit the GPI website at www.gpi.org.

Lynn Bragg is the President of the Glass Packaging Institute (GPI). Founded in 1919, the Washington, D.C.-based GPI represents the North American glass container manufacturing industry. To find out more about the strong environmental position of glass containers, visit www.gpi.org and sign up to receive the institute's monthly e-newsletter.